Release of immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) from the gallbladder in response to vagal stimulation

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Abstract
Immunoreactive VIP was detected in the gallbladder lumen and in the arterial blood and venous effluent from the gallbladder in fasting cats. During perfusion of the gallbladderin vivothere was a constant basal intraluminal secretion of VIP. The VIP concentration in the luminal effluent exceeded that in plasma supporting the notion that there was a release from the gallbladder tissue. The rate of secretion was significantly increased during efferent electrical stimulation of the peripheral cut end of the cervical vagal nerves, after blockade with atropine. A similar increase in concentration of VIP was seen in the venous effluent from the gallbladder. The results suggest a local release of VIP from intrinsic neurons within the gallbladder wall. This release is increased in response to activation of non‐cholinergic fibres in the vagus nerves, suggesting a role for VIP in regulation of gallbladder functions.